Pessary.



- Patented'ct. 30, |900,

H-. M. PAINE. 4

No. Bengal.

P E S S A R Y. (Appumion md' Aug. 5. 1899.1

(No Mmm.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE MARSHFIELD PAINE, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

P E S S A R Y SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,781,dated October 30, 1900.

Application filed August 5, 1899. Serial No. 726,315. (No model.)

object is to improve the construction of the instrument heretoforepatented to mein Letters PatentNo. 536,540, dated March 26, 1895.

The several improvements will be particularly described in connection.with the drawings which form a part of this specication, and in which-Figure l is a side view of my improved pes sary. Fig. 2 is a plan viewthereof. Fig. 3 is a side View, the base being shown in section on line3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows the stem-locking parts in perspective andseparated. Fig. 5 is a side view of a modification, and Figf is asection on line 6 6 of Fig. l.

The instrument previously patented to me is defective iu severalrespects, which defects are remedied in the present invention. Thus inthe patented instrument the stem is united to the base by a threadedshank screwed into a threaded socket. I have found that the threads inthe socket wear rapidly, being formed in celluloid or similarl material,and that after the stems have been removed a few times for cleaning orexchange they cannot be 'securely fitted to the base.

According to the presentinvention the stem 1 is provided with a shank 2of angular crosssection, which fits a socket 3 of similar outline in thebase 4 of the instrument. The stem 1 is flattened or elliptical incross-section, as shown in Fig. 6, and the angular shank and socket arefor the purpose of holding said stem, with its flattened sides, alwaysin the same relation to the instrument. The flattened stem conforms morenaturally to the channel to which it is adapted than the round stemsshown in my former patent. The stem is held in place by a washer 5 andscrew 6, as shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4.

The preferred form of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the frame of a modifled instrument, in which thestem 7 is permanently connected to the base 8. In this case the entireinstrument, including the base and stem, is to be covered with rubber orother cleanly material impervious to the ('l uids to which theinstrument is exposed. The balance of the construction shown in Fig. 5is the saine as that shown in the other figures.

To the base a supportin g-rin g 9 is connected by means of a suitablespringhingeshown, an arm l0 of the supporting-ring is connected, bysolder or other suitable means, to one branch of a spring 11, which iscoiled about a pin 12, supported in lugs or hangers 13, depending fromthe base. The other branch of the spring is connected to the base, andthe parts are arranged to assume naturally the relative positions shownin Fig. 3. The supporting-ring, however, may be swung down to theposition shown in Fig. 3 in dotted lines, and when so depressed it has agentle lifting tendency,due to the spring-hinge.

In my patented instrument difficulty was experienced in keeping thejoint between the base and arm in an aseptic condition, it beingimpossible to thoroughly cleanse it. This defect I have remedied byinclosing4 the entire base, supporting-ring, and hinge in an envelop orcoating 14 of material whichV is impervious to fluid and which maybecleansed with disinfectants without injury. The portion of the envelopsurrounding the hinge is flexible, preferably of soft rubber, and theent-ire coating may be'of the same material. The skeleton frame shown inFig. 5 is designed to be coated all over, including the stem, withrubber or other suitable material. The envelop permits the hinge-jointto work freely and at the same time protects it from corrosion. Theinstrument as thus contructed is thoroughly practical and may be easilycleansed and sterilized.

The stem 1 (shown in Figs. 1 to 4) may be formed of hard rubber,celluloid, or other similar material. The frame about which the coating9 is formed is preferably of bras or other metal.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

1. A pessary of. the character described comprising, in combination, thebase, the supporting-ring, the spring-hinge connecting the IOO base andsupporting-ring, the flexible envelop inclosing said hinge, and .thestern xed in said base.

2. A pessary of the character described comprising, in combination, thebase having an angular socket, the stem of elliptical crosssection andhaving a shank of angulalI crosssection adapted to said socket,rnea-nsforlocking said shank in said socket, the supportingring, and thespring-hinge connecting said ring to said base.

3. A pessary of the character described comprising, in combination, thebase having an angular socket, the supporting-iing, the spring-hingeconnecting said base and ring, thc soft-rubber envelop completelyinclosing said base, ring, and hinge, the stern of ellipticalcross-section and having an angular shank to t the socket in the base,and the screw to retain said shank in said socket.

Signed by me at Newton, Massachusetts, this 26th day of June, 1899.

HORACE MARSHFIELD PAINE. Witnesses:

HATTIE A. Ross, THERESA J. MAHONEY.

